Pac-12 Power Rankings

With just one more week of these power rankings remaining, the Pac-12 picture is finally coming into focus. The race for the conference title is down to just three (and more realistically, two) teams: Oregon, UCLA, and a dark horse in Cal.

Through all of the parity of the 2012-13 season, two of the Pac-12's four best teams are who we thought they would be. The Ducks have been a surprise, as have the Golden Bears -- both of which seemed more likely to be bubble teams than conference contenders before the season.

But here we are, with Oregon and UCLA controlling their own destinies and Cal waiting in the wings. The Bruins road to this point was significantly more roundabout than their conference-leading counterparts. But the talent has always been there for a late run, and now the pieces are finally coming together.

Will UCLA have the last word? Will Oregon's steady rise to the top leave them standing alone? With just one week left, we'll have the answers soon enough.

1. OREGON (23-6, 12-4, Last week: 3)

There's no misunderstanding how important Dominic Artis' return is to Oregon -- the Ducks were well on their way to a runaway conference title until he was forced out of the lineup due to injury. Considering its defensive efficiency and penchant for cleaning up the glass, Oregon may be the most dangerous team in the conference, but while the Ducks excel on defense, they are nothing to write home about on the other side of the ball, ranking 112th in the country in offensive efficiency. Oregon can prove a lot by beating Colorado in its next matchup. But do the Ducks have the juice to do much in the Big Dance? That remains to be seen.

2. UCLA (22-7, 12-4, Last week: 4)

Now may be the time to get on the Bruins' bandwagon, as they've looked like an elite offensive squad since mopping the floor with Stanford on February 16. UCLA's Saturday win over Arizona, which completed the season sweep of the Wildcats, was as grand of a statement as the Bruins have made all season -- and probably in the past two seasons -- giving some reason to believe that UCLA could wipe the floor with both Washington schools on its way to at least a shared Pac-12 title. Of course, things won't be that easy, but with players like Larry Drew II and Kyle Anderson stepping it up in the past two weeks, UCLA is starting to look like one of the country's most explosive offenses, like many expected. But will that defense hold up in the Pac-12 and NCAA Tournaments?

3. CALIFORNIA (18-9, 10-5, Last week: 2)

The Golden Bears are the only team to beat both Oregon and UCLA in the past month, and they even threw in a win over Arizona for good measure. Only once since January 27 has Cal lost, and there's no doubting that the Bears are the Pac-12's hottest team. But having dug a deep hole before finding themselves at the end of January, Cal's hot streak probably won't be enough to secure it a regular season Pac-12 title. That being said, I'm not sure anyone should be favorited over Cal to win the Pac-12 Tournament. It'll be a tough road, but with Allen Crabbe likely playing Pac-12 Player of the Year-level basketball in the past two months and other options emerging in unlikely spots, anything is possible. The real surprise in the past month has been the Bears' defense, which ranks 28th-best in KenPom.com's efficiency ratings.

4. ARIZONA (23-6, 11-6, Last week: 1)

The Wildcats have long been overrated, spending much of the season in the top ten in all polls, but at the season's most important juncture, it seems Arizona is being exposed. Mark Lyons has been especially ineffective as of late, and against UCLA, the Wildcats couldn't seem to find another good option to go to. Arizona has lost four of its last seven games -- three of which did come on the road -- and with just one game remaining, against Arizona State, there's not much the Wildcats can prove before the Pac-12 Tournament. The conference tournament, however, will be of the utmost importance for a team that, as early as last week, was mentioned as a potential No. 2 seed in the Big Dance. That optimism doesn't really look to be the case anymore.

5. COLORADO (19-9, 9-7, Last week: 5)

Colorado just can't seem to win the big games it needs most, and after being embarrassed by Cal last week -- it scored just 46 points -- the Buffs are looking more and more like a bubble team. That could change with a win over Oregon -- a game in which UCLA fans will be rooting hard for Colorado -- but still, it's hard not to think that this Colorado team still has plenty to prove. Of course, that was the case last season for the Buffaloes, as they came into the conference tournament, won out, and stole a game in the Big Dance. Point guard Spencer Dinwiddie has shot especially poor as of late, and if he can't turn around his offensive efficiency, then the Buffs coulud be in trouble.

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.